Political Science and Government at CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College's Political Science program manages debt remarkably well—graduates leave with just $16,274, far below both the state median ($22,672) and national average ($23,500). That's the good news. The challenge is first-year earnings of $29,577, which lag behind the typical New York poli-sci graduate by $5,500 and land in just the 18th percentile nationally. For a CUNY school serving predominantly working-class students (56% receive Pell grants), that initial salary could create real cash flow pressure despite the manageable debt load.

The picture brightens considerably by year four, when median earnings jump to $52,334—a 77% increase that suggests graduates either find their footing in competitive New York career markets or pivot into higher-paying fields. While this trails the elite privates by tens of thousands (Columbia grads earn $61,077), Brooklyn College costs a fraction as much, making this growth trajectory more impressive in context. The 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary, manageable even during that lean initial period.

For families prioritizing affordability, this program delivers: minimal debt combined with strong mid-term earnings growth. Just prepare for a potentially tight first year or two after graduation, and understand that this won't provide the same credential or salary ceiling as NYU or Columbia. If your child plans on graduate school—common for poli-sci majors—the low debt load is a genuine advantage.